Portable table



.8, 1936- G. w. MAT'i'SON PORTABLE TABLE Filed Oct. 4, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

f G. w. MATTSON 2,063,819

PORTABLE TABLE Filed 001. 4, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 NVENTOR. %27

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PORTABLE TABLE George W. Mattson, Denver, 0010.

Application October 4,

17 Claims.

This invention relates to portable tables, and particularly to tables having legs which may be removed and collapsed to facilitate the transportation or storing of the tables.

An object of the invention is to provide a table having adjustable legs which may be so positioned as to bring the table top into a level or an inclined position, as desired, irrespective of the contour or inclination of the ground or other surface .upon which the tablerests. An object is to provide a table having detachable legs which may be readily and quickly attached to or removed from the table top, the connecting parts of the structure being designed to afford a relatively rigid and 15. .flrm support for the table top.

The invention contemplates a table having a top and supporting means whereby the top may be set up for use, the supporting means comprising in its preferred form a legged structure or .tripod, and the table top and tripod are provided with cooperating means whereby they may be detachably secured together, the legs of the tripod being provided with braces or struts detachably and adjustably connected with the table top and the legs, respectively, whereby the table may be set up for use in a variety of desired positions, and with its top at various angles of inclination to accommodate conditions of use or angles of inclination or cont-our of the ground or other supporting surface upon which the legs rest. The invention contemplates, further, various structural details, particularly as regards the formationof the legged structure or tripod and the means for attachment of the struts to the table top.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated.

Fig. l is a side view of a table constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. '2 is an end view of the table illustrated in Fig. 1 and looking toward the right hand side of Fig. 1, this figure showing in full lines and in broken lines, respectively, alternative adjust- 5 .,ments of one of the legs of the tripod supporting structure.

Fig. 3 is a bottom View of the table. Fig, 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, and showing in full lines and 50-, in broken lines, respectively, alternative positions of adjustment of one of the legs.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 5-'5 of Fig. 1, illustrating the parts whereby the tripod or legged '55; structure is. connected with the table top.

1934, Serial No. 746,905

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional bottom View taken on the line B6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line 1--l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 5 elevation, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 3, and illustrating the detachable connection of a leg brace or strut end with the table top.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional bottom view, taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation illustrating the means for connecting two braces or struts with one of the table legs.

Fig, 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the means for connecting a single brace or 15' strut with a leg.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a" sectional bottom viewtaken on the line I3--l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line i4l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line l5|5 of Fig. 14 andv illustrating the means whereby the leg brace or 25 strut is adjustably connected with the table top.

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 14 but illustrating a telescoping type of leg and the relatively fixed brace or strut used therewith.

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal 3O section, taken on the line ll-Il of Fig, 16,

showing the telescoping construction of the leg.

Figs. 18 and 19 are, respectively, a fragmentary side view and a section on line Iii-l9 of Fig. 18,

of a modified form of sleeve connection for the adjustable braces.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary vertical section through a modified form of connecting member.

Fig. 21 is a bottom view of the connecting member. Fig. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view,=similar to Fig. 15, of a snap-fastener connection between a brace and the table top, and

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the spring element of the snap-fastener.

. Referring now particularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, it will be seen that the table top I is provided with a ground supporting framework, preferably in the form of a. legged structure or tripod, and comprising legs 2 and 3 pivoted at their upper ends at l3 (see Figs.: 5 and 6) to a connecting member or spiderv M, which is detachably connected by means of a trunion I4 and pin I5 with a complemental' bearing. cup l8 secured to the under side of the table top I and provided with a slot I6 and spring stops II, the functions of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

Each of the legs 3 of the tripod is provided with a slidable sleeve 4 having a set screw I by means of which it may be fixed in adjusted position on its respective leg and carrying, by means of a pivotal connection, one end of a brace or strut 8, the other end of which is pivotally connected with a brace anchor member 9 provided with a pin or turn button 9 having adjacent to one end a cross pin or key 9 and at its other end a winged finger piece or operating member II. Each brace anchor 9 is adapted to bear against a complemental bearing and retaining member I afiixed to the under side of the table top and carrying within it a spring I2 which bears against a centrally perforated plate I2. Each of these bearing and retaining members I5 is formed with a central perforation and slot It (see Fig. 9) adapted to receive the end of the turn button 9 and its pin 9*. Thus, when the brace anchors 9 are positioned with their turn buttons in alinement with the perforations and slots I0 of the bearing and retaining members III, the ends of the turn buttons may be engaged with the perforations in the plates I2, and the pins 9 may be turned so that they are in alinement with the slots I0, and then the turn buttons may be pushed into the bearing and retaining members It against the pressure of the springs I2, and turned so that their pins 9 lie out of alinement with the slots III, as indicated in Fig. 9, to hold the brace anchors 9 and the ends of the braces or struts to which they are attached in engagement with the table top.

The leg 2 is provided with a sliding sleeve 5 which is capable of fixed adjustment with respect to the leg 2 by means of a set screw I, and this sleeve 5 carries two eyes 6, the shanks of which are swivelled in appropriately formed sockets 6 of the sleeve 5. To these eyes are pivotally attached braces or struts 8 carrying at their ends brace anchors 9 similar to those just described and connected with similar complemental bearing and retaining members I0 in a similar manner.

It will be noted that there are four of the bearing and retaining members I0, and that they are symmetrically arranged with respect to both sides of the table top, and with respect also to the connecting member or bearing cup I8. Thus, it does not matter whether the legged structure or tripod is arranged with its leg 2 at one side of the table or at the other, because the location of the bearing and retaining members I0 is such that the braces or struts 8 and 8' may be connected with them in either arrangement.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by adjusting the sleeves and 5 longitudinally of the legs 3 and 2, respectively, the table top may be adjusted at any angle of inclination desired, either to accommodate the contour or slope of the ground upon which the legs bear, or to tilt the table top for writing, drawing, or the like. If desired, scale or other markings (not shown) may be provided upon the legs, which markings when cooperatively read with the edges of the sleeves 4 and 5 will assist in adjustment of the braces.

In the form of support just described, and in those forms which will be described hereinafter, the legs 2 and 3 may be, and preferably are, provided with rubber or other friction tips I9.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, 14, and 15, the ends of the braces or struts 8 and 8, instead of being relatively fixedly attached to the under side of the table top, are connected with brace anchors 2I (see particularly Fig. 15) which are engageable with headed bolts 22 slidable in guides 23 fixed to the under side of the table top, the brace anchors adapted to be fixed inappropriate adjustment with respect to the guides 23 by engagement of wing nuts 22' carried by the bolts 22.

By this arrangement, it is possible to obtain a greater degree of adjustment of the legs with respect to the table top than is possible with the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, because of the fact that both ends, rather than one end only of the braces are adjustable.

Instead of adjusting the ends of the struts or braces 8 and 8' to adjust the height and inclination of the table top, the legs may be made of telescoping sections 24 (Figs. 16 and 17) adapted to be held in fixed adjustment by set screw l It will be noted that the legged structure or tripod support, including the struts or braces for its legs, is detachable as a unit from the table top and, due to its construction, arrangement and pivotal connections, may be folded into compact form and secured by means of a strap or other tie. Thus when the table top and the legged structure or tripod are separated or detached, they may be stored or transported in a very small space.

When it is desired to set up the table for use upon its ground supporting means or tripod, it has been found most expedient to lay the table top upon the ground with its under side upward, and then to pass the trunnion I4 of the connecting member or spider M through the opening therefor in the complemental bearing cup I8, and turn the trunnion to such position that the pin I5 may aline with and pass through the slot I6. After being thus positioned, the connecting member or spider and its trunnion may be rotated so that the pin I5 will ride over and come to rest with a spring snap action upon the stops IT, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, thus securely and rigidly attaching the table top to the legged structure or tripod. Obviously, the stops H are so arranged as to properly position the tripod when thus attached. After this is done, the legs may be spread out and their braces or struts 8 and 8 attached by means of the brace anchors 9 and 9, respectively, and turn buttons 9 to the bearing and retaining members ID. With the braces thus attached, the table may be inverted so as to stand upon the legs, and then the sleeves 4 and 5 may be so adjusted by means of the set screws 1 and 1, respectively, as to set the table top at the proper height and desired inclination, as determined by the purpose for which the table is to be used and the contour or slope of the ground or other support upon which the ends of the legs rest.

During adjustment of the legs 3, the braces may have a rotative movement at their connection with the table top and a pivotal movement at their connection with the sleeves 4 to accommodate their change of angle with the table top and legs, and during adjustment of the leg 2, the braces 8', in addition to these rotative and pivotal movements, may also have a rotative movement at their swivel connections 6' with the sleeve 5, for a similar purpose.

With the foregoing description of the manner in which the table constructed as illustrated in sleeve portion of the socket 31.

Figs.;1= and 11 inclusive, is erected for use, it is thought that the manner in which the modified forms of the table illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17, inclusive, is erected will be obvious.

As illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, the sliding sleeves 4 which connect the braces to the table legsmay have longitudinal grooves l along their interior bearing surfaces to provide clearance spaces for sand or grit which otherwise might be trapped between the sleeves and the table legs.

A- more compact arrangement than that shown in Figs. 1 to 7' may be had by employing the bear-' which the legs are pivotally connected. To fa cilitate the alinement of the pin [5 in the slot of thebearing cup I8, the base of the member 34 is provided with elongated slots 36.

In place of the clamping connection 9, 10 between the upper ends of braces and the table tops,

I have found that a snap-fastener type of connection will provide a sufficiently sturdy and rugged construction for light folding tables. As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the socket 31 is fixed to the table and houses the spring member 38 which is adapted to grip the rounded head of a pin 39 that is pivotally connected to a table leg. The shank of the pin 39 has a relatively long and fairly close sliding fit within the depending The rounded head of the pin snaps fast the shoulders 40 of the spring 38 to provide a quick-detachable connection that may be readily separated by an axial pull upon the pin 39. Such side thrusts or oblique pressures as may be exerted on the pin during the normal use of the table cannot release the connection as the snug fit of the shank within the sleeve '31 prevents all rocking motion of the pin head with respect to the spring.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 677,700, Portable tables, filed June 26, 1933.

I claim:

1. In a table, a table top, and a legged structure adapted for detachable connection with said top, said legged structure including a connecting member and a plurality of legs each pivotally connected thereto for individual movement, and

leg braces adjustably carried bysaid .legs, and said top carrying at its under side means complemental to said connecting member and braces whereby same may be connected with said top and disconnected therefrom, the adjustability of said braces relatively to said legs providing'for adjustment of the height and inclination of said top.

2. In a tableadapted to be supported upon a surface of irregular contour, a table top, connecting means carried by said top for receiving connecting members, and a legged structure adapted for detachable connection with said top; said legged structure including a main connecting member, a plurality of legs each pivoted on said main connecting member for individual movement, a leg brace pivotally connected to each leg and having a connecting member, said main connecting member and brace connecting members being complemental to the said connecting means of said top, whereby said top may be detachably connected to and disconnected from said legged structure.

3. In a table, a table top, and a supporting structure adapted for detachable connection with saidtop, said supporting structure including a plurality of legs each pivotally attached to a connecting member for individual movement with respect thereto, and strut means adjustably' secured to each leg, and said top provided at its under side with means complemental to said connecting member and said strut means respectively, the strut means associated with at least one leg comprising a pair of braces each con-'- nected at its lower end to the leg, the complemental means for receiving the upper ends of said braces being spaced from each other.

1. In a table, a table top, and a tripod structure adapted for detachable connection with said top, said tripod structure including a connecting memher and four leg braces, two of said braces being connected with one of said legs and the other" braces being connected with the other' legs respectively, and said top provided at its under side with means complemental to said connecting member and to said braces, respectively, the means complemental to said braces being symmetrically arranged with respect to the sides of the top so that the tripod structure may be assembled with the leg having two braces at either side of the top.

5-. In a table, a table top, and a legged structure adapted for detachable connection with said top, said legged structure including a connecting member and legs each attached to said connecting member for individual movement, leg

braces, and said top carrying means comple mental to said connecting member and braces, said connecting member and braces and the means complemental thereto provided with interengaging fastening means, whereby the connecting member and braces may be attached-t0 and detachedfrom the top. 6. In a table, a table top, and a leggedstructure adapted for detachable connection with said top, said legged structure including a plurality of legs anda connecting member, means attaching eachleg to said connecting member for individual movement with respect thereto, and. leg braces adjustably carried by said legs, and said.

top provided with means complemental to said.

connecting member and with means for adjustable connection of said braces with the top, the adjustability of said braces relatively to said legs and top providing for adjustment of the height and inclination of the top.

'7. Ina table, a table top, and a legged structure for detachable connection with said top, said legged structure including a spider to which the legs are pivotally connected, and said legs provided with braces pivotally connected to them, complemental means on said top for detachable connection of said spider and for connection of the ends of said braces, respectively, said legged structure being foldable, when detached, into connection, whereby the movement of said brace in response to adjustment of said leg may be accommodated.

9. In a table, a table top, and a legged structure adapted for detachable connection with said top, said legged structure including a connecting member and a plurality of legs each attached to said member for individual movement, leg braces attached to said legs and each adapted to be connected to said table top, and said top carrying means complemental to said connecting member and braces whereby the detachable connection of said legged structure and top is provided, the legs of said legged structure being formed of telescoping members by means of which the height and inclination of the top may be ad- J'usted.

10. Means for releasably connecting two members together comprising in combination a slotted plate spaced from one of said members and attached thereto, a pin in the other member engaging the latter at one of its ends and having at its other end a laterally extending key adapted to be passed through the slot in said slotted plate and turnable to prevent retraction through the slot, and a coiled compression spring between said slotted plate and its associated member, said spring being symmetrically disposed with respect to a pin inserted in the slotted plate and engaging the lateral key to maintain the same in contact with the adjacent surface of the slotted plate when the members are connected.

11. Means for releasably connecting two members together comprising in combination a slotted plate spaced from one of said members and attached thereto, a pin in the other member having a finger piece at one end engaging the latter member and facilitating turning of the pin, said pin having at its other end a laterally extending key adapted to be passed through the slot in said slotted plateand turnable with the pin to prevent retraction through the slot, an abutment plate overlying said slotted plate and against which said key impinges when inserted through the slot, and a spring between the first of said two members and said abutment plate against the tension of which said key is moved through the slot and which spring thereby yieldingly maintains said key when turned in contact with the adjacent surface of said slotted plate to hold said two members together.

12. The combination with a legged structure and means supported thereby, including a legbracing member or strut providing a connection between a leg of said legged structure and said supported means, of means for securing said strut to said supported structure including complemental detachably connectable members carried by said strut and supported structure respectively, one of said connectable members including a turn button and the other member having means for engagement with said turn button, and means for frictionally maintaining such engagement.

13. The combination with a legged structure and means supported thereby, including a legbracing member or strut providing a connection between a leg of said legged structure and said supported means, of means for securing said strut to said supported structure including complemental detachably connectable, relatively rotatable members carried by said strut and supported structure respectively, one of said connectable members including a turn button and means rotatable relatively thereto, and the other member including a retaining member complemental to said turn button and provided with means for frictionally retaining said turn button in engagement with it, said turn button being thereby held against rotative movement in the event of rotation of the rotatable means associated therewith.

14. In a table, a table top, a plurality of table legs pivotally attached to a connecting member, means at the lower face of said table top for detachably receiving said connecting member, a brace for each leg and a pivotal connection between one end of each brace and its associated leg, a pin member pivotally connected to the opposite end of each brace, and means for detachably connecting said pins to the table top; said means comprising socket members secured to the table top and spring members within said sockets for gripping the ends of the pins inserted therein.

15. A table as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pivotal connections each include a sleeve slidable upon the table leg, a lug on the sleeve to which the brace is pivoted, and a screw for clamping the sleeve to the leg, the interior surface of the sleeve being longitudinally grooved to provide clearance slots for the release of sand and the like.

16. In a table adapted to be set upon an irregular surface, a table top, a plurality of legs and means pivotally connecting the same to the table top, a brace for each leg, a pivotal connection between the table top and one end of each brace, and means for adjustably connecting the opposite end of each brace to its associated leg; said means comprising a sleeve slidable along the leg and pivotally connected to its brace, and means for clamping the sleeve to the leg, the interior surface of the sleeve being longitudinally grooved to provide clearance slots for the release of sand and the like.

17. In a table, a table top, a bearing cup secured to said table top and having its lower wall spaced therefrom, said lower wall having a central opening from which slots extend in opposite directions, a connecting member having a base provided with a depending flange, radial ribs within said flange, table legs pivotally connected 'to said ribs, the upper side of said base having a hub for insertion in the central opening of said bearing cup, a pin extending through said hub and adapted to pass through said slots, and spring means within said hub for yieldingly locking said pin upon a partial rotation of said hub with respect to said bearing cup.

GEORGE W. MATTSON. 

